I am curious about a couple of items. Having sent several FOIA requests myself, I know the way you phrase the request can make a difference. Perhaps something like, what is the total agreement between b-cycle and the city, and what has been the total revenue generated for the city. Perhaps there is not a lease agreement but some other kind of mutual benefit agreement.
Also I think the city only gets something like 3% of property tax revenue, most of it going the county. So housing being exempt from property tax is probably a very small drop in the bucket for the city.
I am for a thorough analysis of the spending. I believe there are several places the city could save millions of dollars.
Total, Amount, and Received, are three words in the request that should have pulled something. 3% from property tax, correct is a small amount. But isn't 1/2 a cent or 1% (as in sales tax increases)? Yet 3% on $500,000.00 is much more than 1% on $100.00.
As property owning citizens of the City you may understand how your taxes will go up due to an inexperienced City Council and a lot of new out-of-towner City officials running things.
They want to raise Sales Taxes by 1/2 cent to maintain services that are already being done. Consider voting NO on this measure in November.
think globally, ACT locally
Part Of the reason for wanting to raise sales taxes is due to decreased tax revenue. It doesn't take a genius to see at least two things that are causing decreased tax revenue.
1. Buying property tax paying properties for the Housing Authority to build low rent apartments is partly accomplished by having the Housing Authority pay no property taxes on those properties.
2. Having closed 8 blocks of State Street for 5 years has forced a lot of businesses to leave. Consequently, the City has decided to raise the parking fees at City owned parking lots. Higher parking fees will create fewer people downtown and consequently reduce sales (and taxes) in the City. In essence, the City has tried to repeal the Law of Supply and Demand.
Thank you if you have been able to read this much. Please vote locally in November
I think churches, synagogues and mosques ought to be taxed for their property value, and set an example of charity in action by offering up their parking lots unused for most of the week as "safe parking" for "individuals experiencing homelessness" living in cars. They can require the downtrodden attend services so they have a chance at salvation.
Bonnie, thanks for mentioning Josh Molina's post, at 9:00 I think he gives the best reasons for State street be reopened to cars.
And on the Housing Authority, I live near the corner of Rancheria and West Montecito streets, just below City College. The property on the corner has yellow development signs saying, "52 low income apartments proposed."
The notice says the ABR is meeting next Tuesday at 3pm. I really hope they are providing more than 52 off street parking spots.
BCycle is somehow related to the bike juggernaut Trek bicycles of Wisconsin. Bcycles is a non-profit but have the same address as Trek. Trek does fund a lot of new backcountry and frontcountry bike trails.
We've had different experiences in the back country - where I have found most bikes have bells and are courteous to hikers and horses. Yes, there are some teens and young folks that still need to learn the etiquette ropes. And not that it would give anyone the excuse to be rude - but a majority of the biking, hiking and horse trails are maintained by what were mountain bike focused groups like SAGE trail alliance. https://sagetrail.org/ and other groups like montecito trail foundation.
Audit of City revenue generation per City district and each district's subsequent demand on city resources to see if there are unequal fiscal issues ! Yes...
Unfortunately we are two different tables. Actually I'm not at the table. I'm not playing a hand. If you feel my comments should remove me from the conversation, stay in your echo chamber. I'm trying to get out of my bubble, but nobody here has convinced me yet. Why is Mitt Romney the best you can do? Why did you throw out Liz Cheney?
Cutting waste on projects such as unused bike paths would go a long way toward restoring fiscal health.
I am 100% for 99% of the bike paths in town. That one on Sola is the 1% I have no idea at all what they were thinking.
Thanks for the article Ms. Donovan.
I am curious about a couple of items. Having sent several FOIA requests myself, I know the way you phrase the request can make a difference. Perhaps something like, what is the total agreement between b-cycle and the city, and what has been the total revenue generated for the city. Perhaps there is not a lease agreement but some other kind of mutual benefit agreement.
Also I think the city only gets something like 3% of property tax revenue, most of it going the county. So housing being exempt from property tax is probably a very small drop in the bucket for the city.
I am for a thorough analysis of the spending. I believe there are several places the city could save millions of dollars.
Good Morning Justin.
Total, Amount, and Received, are three words in the request that should have pulled something. 3% from property tax, correct is a small amount. But isn't 1/2 a cent or 1% (as in sales tax increases)? Yet 3% on $500,000.00 is much more than 1% on $100.00.
As property owning citizens of the City you may understand how your taxes will go up due to an inexperienced City Council and a lot of new out-of-towner City officials running things.
They want to raise Sales Taxes by 1/2 cent to maintain services that are already being done. Consider voting NO on this measure in November.
think globally, ACT locally
Part Of the reason for wanting to raise sales taxes is due to decreased tax revenue. It doesn't take a genius to see at least two things that are causing decreased tax revenue.
1. Buying property tax paying properties for the Housing Authority to build low rent apartments is partly accomplished by having the Housing Authority pay no property taxes on those properties.
2. Having closed 8 blocks of State Street for 5 years has forced a lot of businesses to leave. Consequently, the City has decided to raise the parking fees at City owned parking lots. Higher parking fees will create fewer people downtown and consequently reduce sales (and taxes) in the City. In essence, the City has tried to repeal the Law of Supply and Demand.
Thank you if you have been able to read this much. Please vote locally in November
Great reporting.
less than 10% of the population rides bicycles at all. Far fewer ride regularly.
I think churches, synagogues and mosques ought to be taxed for their property value, and set an example of charity in action by offering up their parking lots unused for most of the week as "safe parking" for "individuals experiencing homelessness" living in cars. They can require the downtrodden attend services so they have a chance at salvation.
Pat, I've thought the same thing for decades.
Huh?
Bonnie, thanks for mentioning Josh Molina's post, at 9:00 I think he gives the best reasons for State street be reopened to cars.
And on the Housing Authority, I live near the corner of Rancheria and West Montecito streets, just below City College. The property on the corner has yellow development signs saying, "52 low income apartments proposed."
The notice says the ABR is meeting next Tuesday at 3pm. I really hope they are providing more than 52 off street parking spots.
BCycle is somehow related to the bike juggernaut Trek bicycles of Wisconsin. Bcycles is a non-profit but have the same address as Trek. Trek does fund a lot of new backcountry and frontcountry bike trails.
We've had different experiences in the back country - where I have found most bikes have bells and are courteous to hikers and horses. Yes, there are some teens and young folks that still need to learn the etiquette ropes. And not that it would give anyone the excuse to be rude - but a majority of the biking, hiking and horse trails are maintained by what were mountain bike focused groups like SAGE trail alliance. https://sagetrail.org/ and other groups like montecito trail foundation.
Audit of City revenue generation per City district and each district's subsequent demand on city resources to see if there are unequal fiscal issues ! Yes...
Ah yes, the wealthiest districts should enjoy the most services. That is a recipe for success if I've ever heard one.
Unfortunately we are two different tables. Actually I'm not at the table. I'm not playing a hand. If you feel my comments should remove me from the conversation, stay in your echo chamber. I'm trying to get out of my bubble, but nobody here has convinced me yet. Why is Mitt Romney the best you can do? Why did you throw out Liz Cheney?